Last night, when I pulled the distributor from my 69 225, I compared it to the new one I purchased. I noticed a couple of differences. Example: The old one had a hole drilled through its body where wires from the points exited. The new one has an elongated notch machined from the top edge for the same purpose. Do you all normally run into different distributor styles for our engines?

And finally, I noted the rubber "O" ring(s) and rubber gasket just beneath the plate which holds the distributor to the block are present on the old distributor and yep, none on the new one. Are these items you get from your local hardware store, or is it necessary to locate them elsewhere?

Thanks for the help and my employer has reminded that I am paid by the Supreme Court to do a job, not chat on web sites.

The "hole through the wall" is found on '60-'69 distributors. The "slot from the top down" is found on '70+ distributors. The '70+ design is easier to service, and makes space for two wires to pass through the distributor wall (as in electronic ignition) rather than just the one. If you are swapping to a slot-type distributor body, you should install the '70+ distributor primary wire, or seal the earlier wire to the distributor body with some RTV silicone.

You do need both O-rings to be present and in good condition. Hardware store O-rings meant for plumbing repair aren't likely to be especially oil- or heatproof, so you'll want to hunt down rings made out of Viton or Buna-N, see for example here (they can no longer be had ex-dealer)

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks Dan. I mis-spoke in my original post. There were three O-Rings on the distributor: two large ones positioned directly beneath the attaching plate, and one smaller o-ring fitting in the narrow machined slot in the distributor's leg. Of course, my new distributor doesn't have the narrow slow machined into it, but I'll put an o-ring in the larger slot, slide it up into the uppermost ridge on the slot provided. Should work. Thanks for the tip on replacing o-rings. I will add it to the collection I have of important /6 items.

H'mm. Each distributor should have two O-rings: A large/fat one right up at the top just under the plate, and a small one in the groove of the distributor shank. There shouldn't be three.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I believe the third is a shade tree mechanic trick to help eliminate leaks when reusing old rings that are no longer up to snuff.